Apparatus for producing cast-metal pipe



(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 1. D. GILES.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CAST METAL PIPES.

Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

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APPARATU$ FOR PRODUCING CAST METAL PIPES.

No. 339,402. Patented Apr. 6, 1886,

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APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CAST METAL PIPES.

No. 339,402. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

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DAVID GILES, OF OHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lette rs Patent No. 339,402, dated April 6, 1886.

Application filed January 4, 1886. Serial No. 187,529. (No model.)

ters and figures of reference marked thereon,

which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a top view of my improved plant adapted fora continuous process of producing cast-metal pipes, showing in connection there with the several cranes which are used for conveniently moving the patterns, the cores,

and the flasks. Fig. 2 is a'vcrtical diametrt cal section through my improved plant,taken in the plane indicated by dotted linezr on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view showing the segmental combination of furnaces or heaters. Fig. l is a top view of the twin flasks, and Fig. 5is a face view of the index wheel and springactuated dog or pawl, which is putundercontrol of the conductor of the turn-table.

This invention relates to means for rapidly and economically producing castmetal pipes; and it consists in novel mechanism whereby the work of molding, removing the patterns, pouring the metal, cooling,removing the cores, shaking out, and restoring the ilasks for a repetition of the process, is continuous, as will be fully understood from the following description, when taken in connection with the annexed drawings.

Before describing my pipe-making plant I desire to state thatI am well aware that aturntable of small diameter is old and wellknown in the art of pipe-casting. I am also aware that twin flasks have been used for said purpose.

In the annexed drawings, A designates a circular turn-table, which Iprefer to construct and mount as follows: B represents the base or foundation masonry-work, and B the circular vertical wall thereof, all of which are substantially made and adapted to form pits B B ofvarying depths, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Upon the central'raised portion,B, I suitably key metal plates B, which constitute the metallic foundation upon the said raised portion B, and it will be observed by reference to Fig. 2 that the periphery of this metal foundation does not reach the vertical edge of the portion 13. I therefore leave an annular space, a, The central portion, B, of this base is depressed, as shown in Fig. 2, and receives the flanged base of the center pivot, C,which is suitably bolted to it. The center pivot, O, is shouldered, and receives around itasleeve, 0, having radial angular lugsb formed on it, and above this sleeve is a reduced portion terminated by anipple'bearing, on which latter is a cap, 1/, which is rigidly connected to a castmetal spider, C, from which radiate channeliron beams 0 which constitute the base-beams of the turn-table A, and which are extended outward far enough to constitute the lower abutments for the flasks.

At a suitable distance above, and in the same horizontal plane with the said radial beams O, are another series of radial beams, G, of equal radii. These beams G 0* are trusscd and vertically braced, as represented in Fig. 2, so that a rigid unyielding turntable is produced adapted to receive and sustain many tons of metal. In the vertical axial center of this turntable A is a flanged connecting-plate, 0", which I shall denominatc the conductor-s platform, and which I shall hereinafter again refer to.

On top of the plates 13, I suitably secure other plates,B terminating at their periphery in an annular series of teeth, 0. (Shown in Fig. l in part, and also in the sectional Fig. 2.)

Inside of and near to the teeth 0 and upon the plates 13 is an annular tread, c, for rolling supports 0*, which are connected or journaled on the radial arms a, that are secured by nuts and jaw-nuts to the upturned portions 1) of the sleeve 0. Between these rolling supports 0* and the radial base-beams of the turn-table A, I prefer to use I-beams, as indicated by o With the annular series of teeth 0 engages a pinion, (I, which is keyed on the lower end of a vertical shaft, (1, which is journaled in the turn-table frame-work in a suitable manner, and which engages, by means of miter gear-wheels d d, with a horizontal shaft, (1*,

suitably supplied above the level of the turntable A, and radiating from the vertical axis thereof. On the inner end of this shaft (1* is keyed a master spur -wheel, (1 with which engages a pinion spur-wheel, d, on the shaft of which is a hand-crank, d, conveniently arranged for the conductor on the platform 0 On the face of the master-wheel (l is keyed an index-wheel, E, adapted to engage with a spring-actuated or other locking device, E, under the control of the conductor, and constructed with indentations to receive the nose of said locking device, substantially as shown by Fig. 5. This locking device 1] is arranged and adapted to be actuated by the foot of the conductor, who is mounted upon the elevated platform or central rotative platform 0 at which elevation he can view the several workmen on the stationary platforms surrounding him, and for this reason he can give the intermittent movements to said turntable at proper times to keep up a continuity of the several steps required in the process of molding, casting, discharging, and returning the flasks. This index I consider a valuable auxiliary in carrying into efi'eet my invention, for the reason that by its employment the conductor can at proper times positively lock the turntable A at the different points required in conducting my continuous process of producing cast-metal tubes.

On the outer extremities of the upper radial beams of the turn-table A is an angular binder, G, which is constructed with an upwardlyturned flange, 6, upon which is hung the twin flasks, H, by means of a hook, e, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower portions of these flasks bear against the outer ends of the lower radial beams of the turntable A, so that the said flasks are positively sustained in vertical positions to receive the sand or loam and metal, and still they are readily removable by means of cranes located in convenient positions, as indicated on Fig. 1 by the letters I? I 1?. Below these flasks are arranged a series of suitably-constructed furnaces, I, which are concentric to the vertical axis of the turntable A, and extend from the molders platform J to the position for coring up, (indicated by J on Fig. 1;) or, in other words,the drying-furnaces extend from the point Z to the point Z. (Indicated on Fig. 1.) These furnaces are arranged in a continuous gangin the deep pit, which is accessible by means of man-holes h h and ladders through the sheetiron cover J, sustained by brackets J anchored in the vertical wall of masonary above described, and clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Forthe purpose of more clearly illustrating my segmental arrangement of furnaces I and their several outlets i, I refer to Fig. 3 of the annexed drawings.

At or near the point of commencement of operation (the turn-table rotating in. the direction of the arrow on Fig. 1) is a tank, q, for containing blackwash for coating the inner surfaces of the molds after the patterns The flasks may be made and arranged singly, concentric to the vertical axis of the turntable; but I prefer to construct them in pairs or triplets, or the number, radially considered, may be increased, always observing the circular spacing which should register with the index in view of the conductor, above described. These flasks H are diametrically divided and connected by hinges j, and provided with vertical ribs on their free ends, to which suitable removable coupling-links are applied, as shown in Fig. 4 of the annexed drawings. These flasks are also constructed with loops or eyes It, at their horizontal center of gravity, whereby they can be readily grappled by a crane-claw, lifted from the turn-table, allowed to assumea horizontal position, and delivered upon skids or ways Z Z, over the shaking-out platform, to where they are opened, the pipes removed, and the sand discharged to be reused.

]3y again referring to the lefthand side, Fig. 2, it will be seen that the lower end of each twin-flask is provided with a chill-plate, K, having upwardly-flaring passages m m, which are adapted to serve as the pattern and core centers, and also the inlets for the heat from the furnaces, when said passages are caused to successively register with the out1et-passages from the furnaces. The chill-plates K are re movable, but are not herein claimed. Near the coring-in locality on the concentric platform, sustained by brackets, are the positions for pouring the metal, and then drawing the core-bars, which operations are aided by cranes P P. Let it be observed that the movements of the turn-table are intermittent, and that ample time is given for makinga mold, drawing thepattern, black-washing, drying, setting the cores, pouring the metal therein, cooling, drawing corebars, and shaking out.

Referring again to Fig. 1 of the annexed drawings, Yindicates the position of the workman who applies the pattern, rams the loam or sand, and removes the pattern, thus leaving the interior of the mold exposed to receive the fluid metal.

The letter Y" indicates the place for blackwashing the interior surfaces of the mold, to prevent fluxingor adhesion of the metal to the molding sand or loam.

Y indicates the position for the drying-furnaces in the plant, which section is located in what I have denominated the deep pit B. Vhen the green molds reach the point Z, the work of drying is complete. At this point is the position Y for the man who introduces the cores. This is on a long concentric platform, on which, about at Y, is the position for drawing the cores; Y, the cooling-section of the plant, and Y the position for shaking out the sand from the flasks and delivering the finished pipes on skids or wherever it may be most convenient to leave them. This last IOF.

position of the process is in close relation to the crane I.

It will be observed that I have a rotative turn-table adapted to have hung vertically upon its circumference many iiasks,which are readily removable by cranes, which table is movable by a conductor or guide located at an elevated point at and upon its center, who turns with it. By reason of the large and small gears the conductor or pilot can move the turn-table, and by reason of the foot-pawl and notched wheel he can stop and start at will, having reference to the flasks and furnaces.

I have represented in Fig. 5 one practical device whereby the conductor or central inspector can stop and start the turn-table at pleasure; but I do not confine myself to this precise device.

The notched \vhcel E indicates spacing-stops for the number of flasks, either single or multiple, on the circumference of the turn-table, which are so predetermined that without calculation a person of ordinary skill can manipulate the said table and adj nst the inlets of the flasks into register with the outlets of any of the furnaces.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. The improved apparatus for making cast metal pipes, consisting in a circular platform adapted to bear numerous removable flasks, a segmental furnace located beneath the said platform, a central stand on the platform for the operator thereof, and gearing whereby the operator may rotate the platform intermittently and carry on the entire operation continuously, substantially as described.

2. The improvement herein described in apparatus for making cast-metal tubes, cousistiug in a rotative table having a central conduetors platform, stationary platforms surrounding the same, means operative from the platfornuwhereby the conductor can give rotary movements to said table, means for vertically sustaining removable flasks on the periphery of said platl'ornna sectional dryingfurnace extending from the blackwash-pot to the place for introducing the cores, a stationary platform, and the common delivery, all substantially in the manner and for the purposes specified.

In a plant for the production of castmetal pipes, the combination of the intermittentlyrotative table carrying numerous removable flasks, a centrally-arranged conductors stand, an index located thereon, mechan ism, as described, operative from the condnctors stand for enabling the conductor to move the table at Will, and a segmental furnace concentric to the axis of the table, provided with out-let-fiues, substantially as described.

4. In a plant for casting pipes, a centrallystepped turn-table having a central elevated operators platform, and mounted upon rollers and surrounded by a stationary platform covering the pits, as described, in combination with mechanism whereby the turn-table can be rotated from said operators platform, and means for hanging the removable flasks from the fixed ring G, substantially as specified.

5. In a plant for casting metal pipes, the combination, with annular pits, and a circular stationary platform, of a concentric gang of furnaces in the pit 13", provided with outlets for the heat through their roof, a turn-table mounted upon a central pivot, and rolling bearings, the central operators platform, gearing provided with an index, for enabling the operator to turn the table from said platform properly, and aseries of removable flasks suspended from the periphery of the turntable and provided with inlets at their lower ends adapted to register withthe outlets of the said furnaces, substantially as described.

6. In a plant for the production of castmetal pipes, the combination, with a circular pit, a concentric furnace in one part thereof and an elevated platform at its top, of a base, B, capped by metal plates surrounded by cog'teeth, a turn-table provided with a cen tral operators platform and mounted upon rolling supports and a central pivot, a sleeve adapted to turn about said pivot and having radial arms on which said rolling supports are journaled, the gearing arranged to allow the operator to turn the table, the annular flanged binder G, the extended beams C, and flasks suspended from this binder, all substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID GILES.

Witnesses:

I T. CHAPMAN, EDWIN L. YEWELL. 

